Fireplace heat extractor

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is of a fireplace heat extractor comprising a generally horizontal header to be positioned across the fireplace opening. A blower directs air through the header and an array of tubular air ducts which extend downwardly and rearwardly from the header to function also as a fire basket. The ducts then extend up along the back of the fireplace and forwardly to open outward of the fireplace. A hood and fire curtain assembly is slidably carried on the protruding ends of the air ducts to be adjustably positioned against the front of the fireplace.

United States Patent [1 1 Stites Aug. 26, 1975 FIREPLACE HEAT EXTRACTOR[76] Inventor: James S. Stites, 615 Hunter Ln.,

Santa Rosa, Califv 95404 [22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1974 [21] Appl. No.:494,027

[52] US. Cl 126/121; 126/165 [51] Int. Cl. F24B 7/00 [58] Field ofSearch 126/121, 165

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,747,259 2/1930 Pierce126/121 2,161,723 6/1939 Rutland 126/121 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS978,392 12/1964 United Kingdom 126/121 900,622 7/1962 UnitedKingdom..... 126/121 354,485 10/1905 France 126/121 545,247 5/1942United Kingdom l26/l2l Primary ExaminerWilliam F. ODea AssistantExaminer-Peter D. Ferguson Attorney, Agent, or FirmMelvin R. Stidham,Esq.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT The disclosure is of a fireplace heat extractorcomprising a generally horizontal header to be positioned across thefireplace opening. A blower directs air through the header and an arrayof tubular air ducts which extend downwardly and rearwardly from theheader to function also as a fire basket. The ducts then extend up alongthe back of the fireplace and forwardly to open outward of thefireplace. A hood and fire curtain assembly is slidably carried on theprotruding ends of the air ducts to be adjustably positioned against thefront of the fireplace.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures HI 0" amt! FIREPLACE HEAT EXTRACTORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional fireplaces are notoriouslyinefficient as a source of heat inasmuch as a great percentage of theheat merely rises up and out of the chimney. As a result, fireplaces areprovided primarily for appearance and decorative effect and otherheating systems are generally required. Efforts have been made toutilize the fireplace heat by heating air blown through ducts and outinto the room, but such have generally detracted from the ornamentalappearance of the fireplace.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide afireplace heat extractor which may be adjusted to fit neatly andattractively within a fireplace opening.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fireplace heatextractor which functions jointly as a fire basket.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fireplace heatextractor which utilizes the heretofore wasted heat while porviding anattractive complement to the fireplace.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fireplace heatextractor which enhances both the appearance and the heating efficiencyof the fireplace.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe description to follow when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In carrying out this invention, I provide ahorizontal header which extends from a small blower alongside thefireplace opening, back into the opening and thereacross. An array ofhot air ducts open from the header and extend downwardly and rearwardlyto form a receptacle serving as a fire basket. From the rear of thefireplace opening, the air ducts extend upwardly along the rear wall ofthe fireplace and then forwardly across the flue opening to openoutwardly of the fireplace. Slidably carried on the forwardly extendingportions for adjustable positioning thereon, is a hood and fireplacecurtain assembly. Adjustable means are provided to adjust the height ofthe header and duct array whereby the hood may be leveled just above thefireplace opening and then positioned on the forward extensions until itis flush with the fireplace. The total cross-section area of the airducts is slightly greater than that of the header whereby the heated airwill be projected from the open upper ends efficiently but quietly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective, partially broken away, showing afireplace heat extractor embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view showing the fireplace heat extractor inplace;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a partial section view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings withgreater particularity, there is shown a more or less conventionalfireplace 10 including a face 12 of brick or the like, an opening 14 anda rear wall 16 sloping upwardly and forwardly to the flue 18, opening tothe chimney.

The heat extractor 10 of this invention comprises a header 22 connectedto the outlet duct 24 of a blower 26 by means of a rearwardly directedtransition piep 28 which enables the header to be positioned well withinthe fireplace while the blower 26 is outside. While the header 22 isillustrated as being circular in crosssection, it is apparent that itmay be rectangular, or of any other suitable configuration. Connected toopen from the rear of the header is an array of tubular air ducts 30which are formed to slope downwardly from the header; then extend in agenerally horizontal disposition toward the rear wall 16 where they bendupwardly at 32 to form a receptacle adapted to function as a fire basketto support fuel burning therein. The array of tubular ducts 30 extendupwardly at an angle generally parallel to the rear wall of thefireplace and finally terminate in forward extensions 34 which open at36 outward of the fireplace.

The tubular ducts 30 are secured together as by means of reinforcingbars 38 and 40, which unify the overall structure and add considerablerigidity thereto. Extensible legs 42 and 44 secured to the cross bar 40and the header 22, respectively, support the unified structure 20 andenable adjustment of its height and level.

The distal end 23 of the header 22 is blanked off, whereby air drawn inby the blower 26 is directed from the header, through the air ducts 30and out the ports 36 into the room. The ducts 30 are heated both bydirect contact with the burning coals and, in the forwardly extendingupper portions, by the heat rising through the flue 18. I

Preferably the total cross-sectional area of the tubular air ducts 30 isslightly greater than that of the header 22, whereby the warm air willexit from the ports efficiently and quietly without velocity-inducednoise. For example, in one embodiment, I employ a header having aninternal diameter of 2 /2 inches together with an array of seven airducts, each with an internal diameter of one inch.

Slidably received on the upper, forwardly extending portions 34 of theair duct 30 is a hood 46. Bearing sleeves 47(FIGS. 3 and 4 welded to thehood 46 around at least some of the openings 48 receive the upper airduct portions 34 whereby the sleeves 47 may be slidably adjusted alongthe portions 34 and secured in place, as by means of set screws 49. Acurtain rod 50 which carries a conventional fire curtain 52, as of steelmesh or the like, is formed in two overlapped sections secured securedto a mounting bracket 54 welded to the middle bearing sleeve 47.

In installation of the device, the header and array are placed within afireplace opening 14, and the height of the legs 42 and 44 are adjustedto bring the hood 46 to an elevation slightly above the top of thefireplace opening. Then the hood is pushed back into firm engagementwith the face 12 of the fireplace to provide a neat, custom-madeappearance. An opening 56 may be provided in the screen to accommodatethe transition section 28 of the header, whereby the blower ispositioned outside and adjacent the fireplace opening 14 with the headeritself well within the fireplace.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with a preferredembodiment thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes thereinmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed as invention is:

l. A fireplace heat extractor comprising:

a tubular, generally horizontal header adapted to be positioned withinand across the lower portion of a fireplace opening;

an air inlet tubular section connected at one end of said header anddisposed to extend outward of a fireplace opening;

a blower connected to said inlet tubular section;

the other end of said header being imperforate; an array of tubular airducts opening from said header and extending downwardly and rearwardlytherefrom to form a receptacle for fireplace fuel and then upwardly,terminating in forwardly extending top portions adapted to be directedoutwardly of said fireplace opening across the upper portion thereof;

outlet openings in the ends of said top portions;

a horizontal curtain rod carried on at least one of said air duct topportions and extending below the array thereof adapted to span saidfireplace opening;

extensible legs supporting said header and air duct array for adjustingthe elevation and level of said curtain rod;

means for adjusting the position of said curtain rod foreand aft of saidduct top portion;

a fire curtain carried on said curtain rod; and

an opening in said curtain through which said air inlet tubular sectionextends.

2. The fireplace heat extractor defined by Claim 1 including:

a hood supporting said curtain rod and slidably carried on said air ducttop portions, whereby, said means for adjusting the position of thecurtain rod and said extensible legs may be employed jointly to positionthe hood snugly against the fireplace across the opening thereof.

3. The fireplace heat extractor defined by claim 1 wherein:

the total flow capacity of said array of air ducts is slightly greaterthan that of said header.

4. A fireplace heat extractor comprising:

a tubular, generally horizontal header adapted to be positioned withinand across the lower portion of a fireplace opening;

an air inlet tubular section connected at one end of said header anddisposed to extend outward of a fireplace opening;

a blower connected to said inlet tubular section;

the other end of said header being imperforate;

an array of tubular air ducts opening from said header and extendingdownwardly and rearwardly therefrom to form a receptacle for fireplacefuel, and then upwardly, terminating in forwardly extending top portionsadapted to be directed outwardly of said fireplace opening across theupper portion thereof;

outlet openings in the ends of said top portions;

a horizontal hood slidably carried on at least one of said air duct topportions and adapted to span said fireplace opening;

means for adjusting the position of said hood fore and aft of said ducttop portion; and

extensible legs supporting said header and air duct array for adjustingthe elevation and level of said hood.

1. A fireplace heat extractor comprising: a tubular, generallyhorizontal header adapted to be positioned within and across the lowerportion of a fireplace opening; an air inlet tubular section connectedat one end of said header and disposed to extend outward of a fireplaceopening; a blower connected to said inlet tUbular section; the other endof said header being imperforate; an array of tubular air ducts openingfrom said header and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom toform a receptacle for fireplace fuel and then upwardly, terminating inforwardly extending top portions adapted to be directed outwardly ofsaid fireplace opening across the upper portion thereof; outlet openingsin the ends of said top portions; a horizontal curtain rod carried on atleast one of said air duct top portions and extending below the arraythereof adapted to span said fireplace opening; extensible legssupporting said header and air duct array for adjusting the elevationand level of said curtain rod; means for adjusting the position of saidcurtain rod foreand aft of said duct top portion; a fire curtain carriedon said curtain rod; and an opening in said curtain through which saidair inlet tubular section extends.
 2. The fireplace heat extractordefined by Claim 1 including: a hood supporting said curtain rod andslidably carried on said air duct top portions, whereby, said means foradjusting the position of the curtain rod and said extensible legs maybe employed jointly to position the hood snugly against the fireplaceacross the opening thereof.
 3. The fireplace heat extractor defined byclaim 1 wherein: the total flow capacity of said array of air ducts isslightly greater than that of said header.
 4. A fireplace heat extractorcomprising: a tubular, generally horizontal header adapted to bepositioned within and across the lower portion of a fireplace opening;an air inlet tubular section connected at one end of said header anddisposed to extend outward of a fireplace opening; a blower connected tosaid inlet tubular section; the other end of said header beingimperforate; an array of tubular air ducts opening from said header andextending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom to form a receptacle forfireplace fuel, and then upwardly, terminating in forwardly extendingtop portions adapted to be directed outwardly of said fireplace openingacross the upper portion thereof; outlet openings in the ends of saidtop portions; a horizontal hood slidably carried on at least one of saidair duct top portions and adapted to span said fireplace opening; meansfor adjusting the position of said hood fore and aft of said duct topportion; and extensible legs supporting said header and air duct arrayfor adjusting the elevation and level of said hood.